Shannon wait on key figures

Injuries TO key figures Anthony Foley and Eddie Halvey are causing serious concern within the Shannon camp in advance of this Saturday's AIB All-Ireland League First Division summit meeting between the holders and the chief pretenders to their crown thus far, Ballymena.

The game is being televised live and to avoid a clash with the European Cup final in Bordeaux, the kick-off in Thomond Park has been changed to 3.15.

Foley, the captain, is troubled by a chest injury while Halvey has an ankle strain. Marcus Horan (back), Noel Healy (knee) and Gavin Russell (thigh) are also recovering from knocks which are likely to delay the announcement of the Shannon side until, as coach Pat Murray put it, "as late as possible".

Murray added: "This is a huge game and we have to make sure all the bodies are perfect."

None of the aforementioned trained on Monday night although it was some compensation to Murray that second row Kevin Keane, sidelined for the last two games since having 14 stitches in an ear injury sustained against Cork Constitution, resumed training.

Ballymena, who lead Shannon by two points but with a game more played, appear to be in comparatively better physical health and coach Nelie Smith hopes to have captain and hooker Stephen Ritchie back in the fray. This will probably see Norman McKernan reverting to loose-head in an otherwise unchanged side from that which beat Clontarf last Saturday.

Irish scrum-half Conor McGuinness may make his competitive return at some point in the St Mary's-Young Munster game at Templeville Road, although both the player himself and coach Steve Hennessy do not expect him to start.

Hennessy must also await a fitness report on second row Frank Fitzgerald. The original prognosis of a cracked bone at the back of his shoulder has been changed to one of severe bruising and the composition of the back five hinges on his availability.

Peter Clohessy is liable to be out for three weeks with a cracked bone in his wrist, although this is at least partially compensated by the anticipated return of Niall Hartigan.

No doubt angered by their defeat to Old Belvedere, the Terenure selectors have wielded the axe to some degree by making four changes for the visit of enduring rivals Blackrock. Centre Ronan Browne, left-wing Ross O'Connor, loose-head Byron O'Doherty-Campbell replace Mick Smyth, Peter Walsh and Donal Hyland.

In addition Ian Walsh is called in at number six with captain Joe Kelly moving to number eight following the hamstring injury sustained by Garan Sheehan. Meanwhile, Shane Cullen is this week nominally chosen ahead of Paul Hennebry in the ever-revolving number 10 slot.

Blackrock have dropped their Ulster centre Michael Jackson from the wing, where he is replaced by David Johnson while Dave Grennell has been picked ahead of Andrew Boyd for his first game since the opening defeat to St Mary's.

Blackrock's injury problems have forced them to use 33 players in six games, though coach George Hook said: "We have actually made very few changes by choice. Our problems are compounded by the presence of six of our first squad in the Irish under-21s setup."

Clontarf and Garryowen, who meet at Castle Avenue, are others whose injuries have forced them to defer their selections.

Dungannon, who entertain Old Belvedere, have replaced the injured Robin Morrow by recalling Ashley Blair, while Aidan Girvan replaces flanker Willie Dunne, who is unavailable. They have also left a vacancy in midfield where coach Keith Patton is looking at "a few options".

Old Belvedere have a lengthy injury list to concern them for the next few days, most notably Barry Murphy (knee), Stephen Tormey (knee) and New Zealand-born second-row Kyran Martin (neck) while their registered overseas player, Robbie Rein, could be out for the season with a back injury.

Old Crescent will not finalise their side until later in the week pending fitness updates on out-half Stephen Hopkins, who was forced to retire with an ankle injury in the defeat to Garryowen, wing Fergus Walsh (who is nearing a return to action after breaking a bone in his hand) and back-row David Bowles, also sidelined for the last few weeks.

They entertain Dolphin, who await the progress of the Mahony centres, Conor and Cian. Both withdrew before the victory over Dungannon last Saturday and Conor is rated extremely doubtful.